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?Bow, the AI Rainbow Warrior chatbot buddy

¡®µþ´Ç·É, , is ready to welcome undergraduates at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ for the fall 2025 semester. Developed in partnership with , ¡®Bow has been an invaluable pocket assistant since fall 2023, providing students a direct, year-round line to essential campus information.

At the beginning of each semester, ¡®Bow proactively reaches out via text, inviting students to send any ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹-related questions his way. Behind the scenes, ?Bow collaborates with a dedicated team of human helpers in the , who work together to provide accurate answers and connect students to vital campus resources. ¡®Bow’s ʻike (knowledge) is continuously expanding and remains relevant as he gathers information from various campus experts, including departments such as Student Housing and Athletics.

“¡®Bow has been such a convenient resource for me, from when I was a freshman, up until my senior year at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹,” said Josslyn Rose, a senior majoring in journalism. “He gives quick responses, and I like that he does wellness checks to make sure I¡¯m getting the support I need. He¡¯s been a unique and helpful part of my student experience.”

To date, ¡®Bow has received more than 150,000 text messages, and 93% of the student population has opted in to receive texts and updates from him.

More than a chatbot

Beyond simply answering questions, ¡®Bow also conducts “temperature checks” to gauge student well-being, which includes mental health and academic progress. When a student expresses a need, ¡®Bow connects them with relevant campus resources and alerts human staff members, ensuring that crucial human support is always available to provide comprehensive assistance.

“’Bow, our chatbot, has proven to be the ideal tool for our undergraduates,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ President Wendy Hensel. “In two years, ‘Bow has been transformative, actively listening and connecting students to essential campus resources and real people. He guides them proactively through all aspects of university life, ensuring timely support and enriching their ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ journey.”

This commitment to student well-being is evident in the dedicated efforts of the Student Success team. Over the past academic year, the team launched 43 campaigns to gauge student well-being, resulting in approximately 8,600 students with identified needs being directly connected to the appropriate ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ resources and support services.

Student Success is deeply committed to student privacy and the ethical use of AI. In strict adherence to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, authorized ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ personnel ensure all student data collected by ‘Bow is securely handled. This rigorous approach guarantees a trustworthy and private experience for all users.

Expanding ¡®µþ´Ç·É¡¯²õ ʻohana

¡®µþ´Ç·É¡¯²õ ʻohana (family) is steadily growing. Plans are underway to create ‘siblings’—chatbots like ?Bow, but customized for each ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ campus¡ªso that students across the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System can benefit from personalized, campus-specific support. One of ¡®µþ´Ç·É¡¯²õ siblings, , has already started working with ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Hilo students to identify any gaps in student support and provide AI assistance to better meet their needs.

To reach ¡®Bow and his team at any time, email askbow@hawaii.edu, or visit his website, .

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